Thursday, November 25, 2010

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Das Williams spent his last meeting as a member of the Santa Barbara City Council pretty much where he started his City Hall career, debating the City of Santa Barbara’s Living Wage ordinance. But before that happened, he got a sweet earful from his friend and political colleague Mayor Helene Schneider — she relied upon Williams to play “bad cop” to her good one — who gave him a proclamation recognizing his contributions to the city during nearly two terms of office.

Williams is cutting short his council term by one year, having just been elected to the State Assembly in Sacramento. He gets sworn in December 4, which happens to be the Feast of Saint Barbara, the city’s namesake. “Good luck in Sacramento,” said Schneider. “I know you’ll need it.” Williams expressed gratitude for having been given the opportunity to serve, adding, “I hope you will call upon me to work with you.” Schneider, who was first elected with Williams in 2003 as part of new wave of younger upstart activist Democrats, retorted, “As I told you earlier, we all have your cell phone number.”

Not all was quite so harmonious, however. Councilmember Dale Francisco, with whom Williams has famously feuded, was notably absent when Schneider made her laudatory remarks. Whether coincidentally or not, Tuesday’s council meeting happened to draw a higher percentage of Santa Barbara’s political gadfly community than normal, eager to take advantage of the “open mike” portion of council meetings open to unsolicited and un-agendized public comment. Kate Smith, a dramatic if poetic critic of what she terms the “school-to-prison pipeline,” left Williams with a parting zinger. “You have betrayed us with your silence,” she charged.

Paul Wellman

Wayne Scoles

Wayne Scoles, the outspoken Mesa activist who was arrested for verbally threatening Police Chief Cam Sanchez several years ago — but was found not guilty by a jury — complained Santa Barbarans are no longer safe from “violent bums, Latino gangs, and police officers who abuse their powers.” Scoles sued city hall for civil rights violations after the jury found him not guilty, but a federal judge tossed his case out of court. Scoles vowed to come back later to tell the council of his dealings with the FBI and Justice Department, which he said was investigating these allegations. “I guarantee you have not seen the last of me,” he said. Williams in his new political incarnation, however, will not be there when that happens.

Paul Wellman

Kenneth Loch

“Tennisance Man” Kenneth Loch gave a brief discourse on the benefits he experienced by learning to play tennis while holding rackets in each hand. He said the competitive pursuit of tennis was not healthy for the community, and suggested that such a “parading shift” would be good for the entire area. Like Scoles, Loch pledged to elaborate at future council meetings. “I’ll be getting into that,” he promised. Jeff Wood, recently arrested for selling medical marijuana illegally, was more pointed in his remarks about Williams. He charged that Williams ignored warnings he delivered more than a year ago that a neighbor of his at an Eastside mobile home park was illegally dumping orchid fertilizer into the creek. “This orchid fertilizer is breeding mosquitoes that kill,” he warned. Because Williams shined him on, Wood said he’ll take his concerns to the FBI. Williams replied only that the city’s Creeks Division would be a more appropriate government agency.

There was more than tidy symmetry to the fact that Williams’s last meeting would deal with the Living Wage ordinance. Even before being elected to the council, Williams was among the ringleaders of the campaign promoting a Living Wage ordinance targeting employees of private companies hired to fulfill service contracts by city hall. Once on the council, Williams found himself not only voting in support of the measure but legislatively crafting fine details of what was a politically contentious issue. Addressed this Tuesday was a report, long languishing, on the actual costs and benefits of Santa Barbara’s Living Wage law and ways it might be improved. That the report finally made its way to the council before Williams stepped down was no accident. With Williams there, there was narrow majority of councilmembers who could be counted on to beat back any push by the council’s conservative minority to reconsider the Living Wage ordinance or eliminate it altogether. And after some lengthy debate on the matter, that’s exactly what happened.

The report itself raised far more questions than it answered. Based on the findings, it’s hard to tell how many people have actually benefited from the ordinance — lifted out of a life of wage-slave poverty, as proponents predicted — or to what extent it’s become the scourge of free enterprise — as opponents had warned. City hall defines a living wage as $15.45 per hour for people with no benefits and as low as $12.14 for those provided an ample benefit package. This requirement is imposed on private businesses contracting with city hall to provide such services as late-night janitorial work. The requirement is triggered only for bigger contractors, those receiving $16,548 or more a year. That universe includes 98 businesses.

“What I see here is the typical proliferation of complications that arise when a city government decided to step in and prevent perceived injustices by interfering in a process it really doesn’t understand.” — Councilmember Dale Francisco

Two years ago, City Hall mailed a survey to the 98 contractors to ask them how the law affected them. Sixty-eight replied. Based on the results, it appears that 83 workers actually benefited by receiving the living wage. Those businesses reported they sought to recoup the additional costs by charging city hall $171,000 more for the same services. According to Bob Samario, city finance director, the city did nothing to obtain independent verification that the employees in question actually were paid the “living wage.” He said that three audits were conducted — at a total cost to the city of $10,000 — and that the books of the companies in question were so jumbled that it was impossible to determine whether they were complying with the law or not. Samario also stated that of the 900 hourly employees hired by city hall, most are paid a living wage. But 311 are not. Were they to receive the same compensation city hall requires of its contractors, it would cost the city $1.1 million more a year.

A majority of the Living Wage Advisory Committee argued the Living Wage had been a success and should, in fact, be expanded. Money should be set aside to audit companies for compliance; violators should be fined $500 — current law does allow the imposition of fines — and the exemptions, for which there are many, should be narrowed. Companies doing business with city hall should be allowed to pay their workers so low, they argued, that they could qualify for state assistance. But Allen Williams, a contractor on that same committee, begged to differ. “The city spent over one-million dollars without a single measurable benefit,” he declared. “It spent $1 million extra to have the same services provided.”

City finance chief Samario disputed the $1 million figure Williams bandied about. Williams added because of the Living Wage law, local businesses find themselves increasingly competing with out-of-town and out-of-county contractors for city contracts. Larger local contractors have to pay a living wage, which he said puts them at a competitive disadvantage with out-of-town operators who, because they haven’t hit the $16,000 threshold yet, can charge less for their services. As a result, Allen Williams said, a San Luis Obispo company is now cleaning up the downtown library. Dick Flacks, a retired UCSB sociology professor also on the advisory committee, objected that Williams had presented no data to back up such claims. If 100 families have benefited because of the Living Wage ordinance, then it was a success.

Paul Wellman

Santa Barbara City Councilmember Dale Francisco

While many councilmembers had something to say about the Living Wage, the debate was dominated — as always — by Das Williams and Dale Francisco. “What I see here is the typical proliferation of complications that arise when a city government decided to step in and prevent perceived injustices by interfering in a process it really doesn’t understand,” said Francisco. He argued that in a free market, good employers who treat their employees well are rewarded with higher productivity, greater loyalty, happy customers, and more business. Williams shot back that government contractors are not operating in anything resembling a free market. Governmental decision makers are bound by law to select the qualified vendor offering the lowest prices. “That disadvantages contractors who pay better and provide health benefits,” Williams said.

In an interview afterward, Williams said the value of the Living Wage ordinance is not just the number of employees who directly benefit, but the message it sends to the broader community. “I can’t tell you how many people — hundreds — who’ve come up to me and said I want to pay my workers what the city considers a living wage. It’s a statement of values, that we’re not going to do business with people who pay their employees poverty wages.”

Francisco expressed interest either in abolishing the Living Wage ordinance or rewriting it. He was joined in that by Councilmembers Michael Self and Frank Hotchkiss. Joining Williams in his support for the Living Wage was Mayor Helene Schneider and Councilmember Grant House. Councilmember Bendy White — the council’s swing vote — opined, “This is definitely one of those times when the man in the middle feels like the man in the middle.” White said he was comfortable keeping the existing ordinance the way it was, but opposed expanding it in any fashion. Williams and his allies were comfortable with that, so the ordinance stands.

Comments

The reason Dale Francisco, representing the government, doesn't understand "the process" is because he is completely unqualified to govern and instead chooses the dubious safety of willful ignorance. How many public admissions of ignorance and corruption does he have to make before he is recalled?

"It’s a statement of values, that we’re not going to do business with people who pay their employees poverty wages.”

This guy, Das Williams, clearly never took Economics 101.

He seems to think private businesses are run like charities. Unfortunately, if the city makes local companies pay higher wages, the result will be local businesses simply closing up shop and moving elsewhere.

Why stay in Santa Barbara if you can hire workers for less elsewhere? I wish voters would clean house and get rid of these clowns.

Lars failed to mention an impact of 100 families salaries may only charge the demand for labor in markets that the city hires from such as janitorial, maintenance, etc, etc.

My concern is if people encouraged by this also want to raise the wage of all employees in Santa Barbara. It will drive the cost of goods up, it will also make it harder for local business to compete.

Chains and corporate stores can afford losses for a couple years at a store to corner the market then dominate and price gouge... Ie Best Buy etc now that all the electronic stores are closed in the area. etc.*Not saying its insanely expensive but nothing like a "best buy".

Does anyone know how Dale Francisco supports his leisurely lifestyle; learning to play the cello, hiking up rattlesnake canyon, dwadling through city parks, hanging out at the Book Den, the Arts and Letters Cafe and dining at Los Arroyos?

Dale Francisco apparently rents a dated but desirable Upper Eastside house which must be at least somewhat expensive. Yet one never gets a sense of how this council member supports his lifestlye. Does Dale Francisco work or has he ever worked long enough anywhere to be retired in his early 50s? He does seem to be retired.

I know this request for knowledge may seem personal but Francisco is a politician and he requires scrutiny. Francisco is often posturing with various charges but we don't want to give this politician a pass. We must know more about this council member that is proposing this reverse chase to the financial bottom for wage earners. Does anyone have information about how Dale Francisco is keeping himself in such a lavish lifestyle?

MANY private business need to start paying their employees a living wage here in Sb and that IS a fact, especially when their CEOs take home disproportionate pay. And people need to start expecting to pay the artists they hire a decent compensation as well. Too many employers in this town think they can just leach off the student population.

"the books of the companies in question were so jumbled that it was impossible to determine whether they were complying with the law or not." Yeah, trust the private sector to handle things. Capitalism: private business run amok. Communism: government run amok. Neither works well for the people, whom both need to serve. btw, Mr. Francisco's pose is strangely reminiscent of Dr. Evil. Hmmmm......

Very poor taste by the Independent photo editor, unless your bias is intended.

I should say, as much as i like Das Williams, ending his term short by one year leaves me with the sour grapes notion of another career politician. If this is so near and dear to his heart, why leave? Now the majority shifts, again.

Das Williams apparently rented a subidized apartment from his uncle, in flagrant defiance of the affordable housing laws he so loves to support. Yet one never gets a sense of how this council member supports his lifestyle. Does Das Williams work or has he ever worked long enough anywhere to be qualified to render intelligent judgements on economic and financial matters, esp as pertaining to the operation of small business?

I know this request for knowledge may seem personal but Williams is a politician and he requires scrutiny. Williams is often posturing with various charges but we don't want to give this politician a pass. We must know more about this council member, now assembly member, that is proposing this unending increase in taxes on those who actually pay taxes.

While I know that you and Donny McD are big Das supporters, my post was more insipid than McDermott's. Which is, BTW, the point. Drop the character assassination and focus on issues and rational, fact-based discourse. Like are you for or against living wage and why? Do you understand the actual impact on local employment and based on what? Do you want denser housing development or to preserve our beautiful community?

JohnLocke, you just have to stop making so many unwarranted assumptions. I am NOT a "big Das supporter". Full stop. To quote someone who posts here quite often, "Drop the character assassination and focus on issues and rational, fact-based discourse."

As someone who has had the dubious honor of photographing Dale Francisco several times, he is striking his favorite pose seen in the photograph! Its not the INDY photographer's job to make him look good or competent, but to capture the moment. And at any given moment, Francisco appears to be picking his nose.

O.K. So I seem to recall that Das Williams was homeless and struggled to stay in this area. He has adapted (as many of us do) to live here. Das Williams is very energetic and got involved at an unusually young age. He developed a leadership ability and is a now a self made man. Das Williams has worked very hard for justice, fairness, equality and environmental issues. Sorry if you're not interested in fairness in his representation.

Dale Francisco on the other hand as far as I can ascertain arrived here with a silver spoon in his mouth and probably a trust fund in his hip pocket. I suppose Francisco was awakened into political action the moment he came across his first bulb-out. Wow. Dale Francisco is now the typical right-wing stalwart politician unable to negotiate and represents everything most people hate about politics. What a promotion.

Dale Francisco apparently wants to reopen many settled issues and dictatorially reverse those decisions. He doesn't want to update the General Plan. He probably wants to reverse this living wage ordinance. Francisco has no solutions for residential streets or school zones that have high pollution, high speed and high levels of traffic. He clearly has no creativity when it comes to transportation or housing problems. Francisco wants to restrict property rights further by stalling or stopping city processes on appeal. I suppose Dale Francisco wants to freeze Santa Barbara in time negatively affect our local economy.

What else is on Dale Frnacisco's agenda? Does he want to go back to the back to the days when family planning clinic patients did not have the safety of the "bubble law." Perhaps he wants to repeal domestic partner benefits, of course because it probably only benefits a minority. Does Dale Francisco want city hall to start the meetings with a prayer as activists have recently urged (please see Ruth at public comment.)

I don't know what happened to Dale Francisco but he once was a great contributor to the DNC and the Capp's Campaigns. Now Francisco is a right wing narrow ideologue. So I have no respect for Dale Francisco, Orange County 'vagrant' that has no business being in a representative body of government.

But again I want to know how this vagrant supports himself in Santa Barbara.

Why don't you ask Dale Francisco? You seem to spend a lot of time observing where he eats, etc. My understanding is that after graduating from UCSB, he worked at Cisco Systems, was a manager there - and I am guessing that like so many working in the computer/internet world, he saved and also received a lot of stock options and retired.

Das Williams, when he was around 18, slept in his VW van in the waterfront parking lots for a couple of months, as he has said over and over again, went to SBCC, UC Berkeley and then UCSB/Bren School. The only work he has done is being a community organizer in Ventura and 7 years on the city council. He raised around $800,000 for his run this year (I wish the Indy would give the final figures on what was raised/spent) --- and has a sizable amount left which he can use for anything he wants.

---Much of Tuesday's meeting was the evening session about Plan SB, more than twice the amount of time, I think. I hope the Indy will cover. That truly was Williams's last hurrah and the Plan did not pass the city council, postponed until the new year. May Das be more effective in Sacramento than he has been here.

DonMcDermott and JohnLocke you will never get your questions answered because people like SezMe do not live in the same world as you.

People like SezMe live in Wonderland a splendid place where all are equal, have the same house, same pay, dress alike, speak alike, want government to do everything for them, free health care. A place that everyone speaks softly, a place that you do not get grades but a pass or fail as to not embarrass someone who didn't get what an achiever received.

People like EZK criticize others making reference to bigotry or racism because as he claims "Notice how many of the "criticisms" of Williams are because he came from a disadvantaged background" what the hell does that mean??? Are you claiming he is a "genius" because he came from a "Disadvantage background"?

This is exactly what is wrong with our society today. People are NOT equal. That is what makes us walk upright and NOT on all fours. You make it in society or you don't. Yes, some fall on bad times, but, MOST do not. That is how they CHOOSE to live.

Please do not lecture me on tolerance either. I give more than most because I WANT TOO, not because you want to make me.....

Again, does anyone know how it is that Council Member Dale Francisco supports himself?

citti; Thanks for the suggestion but I think that it is for the fans of Dale Francisco to ask him pertinent questions and before they vote for him. I suspect Francisco would be intellectually dishonest, as he likes to accuse others. That is why I am posting my wonderment as to what this council member does to support himself. Francisco, the vagrant, is far too narrow and crass to be a representative. Francisco developed a very limited platform to get elected. Now Francisco develops this limited general plan when others much less fortunate as well as those more ordinary and fortunate would be harmed. The whole community is harmed by this obstructionist Dale Francisco.

Francisco officially listed his occupation as engineer and writer. Any best sellers out there? Here >>> http://video.google.com/videoplay?doc...you can see this engineer gracefully and speedily I might add, demonstrating the travesty of an efficient mini roundabout all the while calling it square and chuckling to excess. Council member Francisco pounds his square peg car around a circle (roundabout) with great ease while convincing YOU that it doesn't work. Go figure. But if you view the entire video there are several other idiotic and odd comparisons. See if you can spot them.

priceless; But the question is what do you do with those that can't fit in and make it.

Thanks for the Priceless knee jerk review.Why Francisco has yet to be recalled is astounding. Where was Dale Francisco when homes displaying anti-prop 8 signs were vandalized, including arson? But he is more than happy to deny people access to medicine they're paying for themselves! When "Yes on T" signs were allegedly vandalized, suddenly he's the distressed patriot.Time and again Francisco has shown he'd rather support big corporate businesses at the expense of our local businesses. I'm guessing Dale Francisco makes a living by selling out the citizenry and city of Santa Barbara.

When all is said and done and the book on Das Williams is closed, I think overall he did a good job for the city of Santa Barbara.

I hope the city counsel can replace him with someone else with as much passion and drive as he had, regardless of party. Someone who at least tries to make things happen, rather then more hand waving and talking about stuff that never gets done.

@Don M: "But the question is what do you do with those that can't fit in and make it."You put your money where your bleeding heart mouth is and give them all your money. Or campaign for donations. But quit appropriating my hard-earned money and savings - I've got barely enough to live on as it is.

oh anonymous John Locke; given your destitute state you're probably paying little taxes, let alone your own upkeep. Still all I said was that there is this question and here come more http://www.keyt.com/news/local/Senior...What do we do with them all. Labor camps? Your solution round em up and shuffle them over to the next county border.